The 14 Best Employment Lawyers in Paris

Managers and senior executives negotiating an exit are the clients this practice in the 8th arrondissement is built around. Ugo Giganti, at the Paris bar since 2017, works only in employment law and only for cadres and executives. Negotiating departures is the core of the work, including variable pay, bonuses, RSUs, free shares and stock options. He works in French and in English, which suits staff of international groups.

Employees who want a priced opinion quickly can choose between three published consultation formats at this practice in the 9th arrondissement: an hour at the office, or half an hour by video or phone. Eva Touboul Cohen works only in employment law, on dismissals, harassment, ruptures conventionnelles and labour tribunal cases. She also prepares clients for the pre-dismissal interview and helps companies set up CSE works councils.

Companies and senior executives facing a sensitive dispute get big-firm training in an independent practice here. Léo Laumônier spent ten years at international firms such as Clifford Chance and Latham & Watkins before setting up on his own. He advises executives on exit negotiations and equity packages, and employers on HR risk, disciplinary procedures, restructurings and works-council relations. Independent investigations into harassment or whistleblowing complaints are also offered.

Sagan Avocats suits people who want to understand employment law before spending money on it. The firm in the 8th arrondissement works for employees and employers on the end of employment contracts and assists CSE works councils. It also seeks compensation for clients whose labour tribunal cases have suffered excessive delays. Free blog articles, infographics, videos and a training module explain the basics, and appointments are booked online.

Employees and employers who want a lawyer devoted entirely to employment law will find one in the 17th arrondissement. Charles-Elie Martin, who holds masters in business and social law, completed a six-month placement with the employment judges of the Paris Court of Appeal. He handles dismissals for serious misconduct or poor performance, rupture conventionnelle negotiations, harassment, overtime and medical unfitness. He also advises HR directors on disciplinary procedures and contracts.

Companies looking for a certified employment lawyer who also goes to court will find one in the 2nd arrondissement. Saïd Akifi holds the CNB certificate of specialisation in employment law. He advises on contracts, disciplinary procedures, dismissals, collective bargaining and redundancy plans. In litigation he appears before the conseil de prud'hommes, the judicial court and the Court of Appeal, including on harassment, pay disputes and URSSAF reassessments.

With a practice limited to employment law and clients on both sides, DB Avocats suits small employers as well as employees in the west of Paris. Damien Busquet, who worked inside companies before practising, drafts contracts and collective agreements and manages terminations for employers. For employees he handles unpaid overtime, contested dismissals, harassment, unfitness dismissals and ruptures conventionnelles. The office on Avenue d'Eylau is close to Trocadéro.

Clients who want to know the cost upfront will value the fee schedule this practice in the 8th arrondissement publishes. Sandrine Rollin, at the Paris bar for more than 20 years, acts for employees and employers. She handles ruptures conventionnelles, dismissals for unfitness or misconduct, harassment, non-compete clauses and bonus or overtime claims. Consultations can take place at the office, by phone or by video, and court fees can be paid in instalments.

Employees facing a dismissal or a restructuring will find a practice that works on their side only. Franc Muller has represented staff since 1997 from an office on Boulevard Henri IV in the 4th arrondissement. He contests dismissals, negotiates ruptures conventionnelles and settlement agreements, and handles moral harassment and suffering at work. He also advises on what a reorganisation means for employees and drafts employment contracts.

Employees who want a firm that works only on their side, with a full team behind it, should look at Howard Avocats. Founded in 2017 by Marlone Zard, it has lawyers in Paris, Nantes and Lille devoted to employment and social security law. It offers a fixed-fee package for labour tribunal cases, support for expatriate and seconded staff, and occupational-disease claims. A first 20-minute phone consultation can be booked online.

A team of five avocats gives Cabinet A-P the capacity to handle employment and social law disputes from first advice to appeal. Founded in 2007 by Alina Paragyios, the firm in the 3rd arrondissement negotiates contracts, departures and damages. It represents clients before the conseil de prud'hommes and the Court of Appeal and, where needed, follows related criminal proceedings. Consultations take place by phone or at the office, by appointment.

Employees who need to act quickly after a dismissal or a harassment complaint will appreciate the long weekday hours at this practice in the 9th arrondissement. Aurélie Thevenin and her colleague Sabrina Raouti handle ruptures conventionnelles, unfair dismissal, judicial termination, prise d'acte and disciplinary sanctions. They take cases to the conseil de prud'hommes and the Court of Appeal. Fees are discussed at the first meeting and set out in a written agreement.

Foreign employers with staff in France, especially German and English-speaking companies, will find a multilingual counterpart in Alaris Avocats. The firm in the 4th arrondissement describes itself as an English-speaking law firm, with lawyers who work in English, French, Italian and German. Labour law is one of its main areas, alongside construction, corporate, contract, arbitration and tax law. Its articles explain French rules on sick pay, the 35-hour week and social charges.

Executives at large companies, including expatriates, will find a sizeable team focused on their side here. The firm led by Avi Bitton has 14 lawyers and works mainly for managers and senior executives on harassment, discrimination, dismissal, ruptures conventionnelles and stock options. Avi Bitton wrote a book on labour tribunal procedure and sat on the Paris bar's disciplinary council. The team works in English, Italian and Portuguese, and the website has an English version.